When it comes to spring football practice, it is amazing how one
player’s injury can have such a large impact on his peers.
Case in point: When fullback Jimmy Stephens, who is No. 2 on the
depth chart, went down with a high ankle sprain early in the
spring, the injury opened the door for other fullbacks to gain a
valuable increase in practice time. Take Steve Seigel, who was
converted from a linebacker to fullback before the spring, and is
now practicing as the No. 2 fullback behind Pat Norton.
“It’s given me more reps, and Pat and Michael Pitre
both more reps,” Seigel said. “We love to see Jimmy
healthy, but I’ve been happy about the opportunity to show
and prove what I can do. To be able to go with the (second team)
and to be able to take a lot of reps with the (first team) has been
helpful. It’s been a great opportunity for me, and
fortunately, I’ve got Pat, who is a senior, to follow in the
footsteps of.” Injuries seem to be a defining characteristic
of the fullback position at UCLA this spring. In addition to
Stephens, veteran Manuel White has not participated in full-contact
practice, as he continues to recover from a fractured shoulder
blade ““ an injury he sustained halfway through last season.
While White is listed as the top running back on the depth chart,
his 6-foot-2, 245-pound frame also makes him a formidable fullback.
Last season White saw action as a running back and as a fullback,
something his teammates expect to continue to see this season.
“He has his own unique role, if we need him here or there
he’s going to play,” Norton said. But for now,
it’s about the fullbacks on the depth chart who are ready to
go. “We all look good,” Norton said. “We worked
hard in the off-season. Everyone got stronger and faster.
It’s extremely competitive, especially since it’s my
first time getting the starting role. Manuel is out right now and
everyone has to pick it up a little bit.”
INJURY REPORT: Right tackle Ed Blanton
“tweaked” his knee on a field goal protection play in
practice Monday and was carted off the field. Blanton will undergo
tests, and the injury does not appear to be serious, according to
coach Karl Dorrell. Running back Maurice Drew went down on the
final play of practice Monday, but he was not injured, and got up
shortly. “He’s just tired of scoring touchdowns,
he’s not hurt,” Dorrell said. “He tweaked his
ankle on Friday, and he might have lingering effects but he is
fine.”